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Aug 25 Friday Findings - August 25th Edition

In this post we've collected articles that examine some of the most popular trends in sustainability such as introducing elements of the outdoors inside, harvesting power from sidewalks, and bringing nature back into urban areas.

This Eco-Friendly House is Built Around a Vertical Garden

One green trend in particular that has been at the forefront for the past couple of months is bringing elements of the outdoors inside. We've seen kitchens, living spaces, and even bathrooms be opened up to nature. Homedit has recently profiled a home that really blurs the line between indoors and outdoors by having a vertical garden sprawl along the house.

Newest Trend Introduces Weather Elements Inside Hospitals

A new study by a group of architects and psychologists at the University of Oregon have been examining the plausibility of mimicking weather indoors. We aren't talking about rain showers indoors (yet!) but the introduction of elements in nature that are enhanced by the weather - like the feeling of natural wind and light reflections resembling rippling water. In the video above you can see a field test for introducing the effects of rippling water on patients at a hospital.

Soon Streets May be Harvesting Energy

A company called Pavegen has been slowly installing 'streets' that convert the power of footsteps into electricity. The most recent installation was a 107 sq. ft. array located in London's West End. The energy produced by walkers on the path is used to power lights and bird sounds in the area. While plans for more roads are underway, a large scale project is yet to be revealed.

Why Nature Matters in Our New Urban World

The way our urban centers are currently being designed and built is problematic as urban decay and increased levels of poverty plague many cities across the world. According to Kobie Brand, Director of the Cities Biodiversity Center (CBC), "Today, most of us - well over 50 percent of humanity - are already living in this new [urbanized] world!".This means we need to take action to advance the city in the direction of being safer, inclusive and most importantly sustainable.

You can learn more about Kobie Brand's vision for better urban areas here.

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